The Nation | Nation in Brief / WASHINGTON STATE

Not-guilty plea in court-martial

A U.S. Army officer who refused an order to deploy to Iraq pleaded not guilty at a Ft. Lewis court-martial.

First Lt. Ehren Watada, 28, faces a charge of missing movements when he refused to ship out to Iraq with his brigade last summer, and two charges of conduct unbecoming an officer for statements criticizing the war as illegal and immoral.

Watada could face up to four years in prison and a dishonorable discharge if he is convicted on all charges.